Chelsea captain John Terry paid tribute to Nemanja Matic after the midfielder scored the goal that gave the Blues' their first win of this season's Champions League.

The former Benfica midfielder marked his return to Portugal with a first-half header that saw Chelsea beat Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on Tuesdy to go top of Group G.

"I thought he (Matic) was superb. Gary (Cahill) and I were saying how good he is sitting in front of us, breaking things up," defender Terry, who made his 100th Champions League appearance told Chelsea TV.

"He's also got a burst of speed when he gets it and dribbles through. He's come back a complete player and we're delighted he got on the scoresheet."

Chelsea could have won more comfortably but Diego Costa and Andre Schurrle both missed chances while the game was still scoreless.

"It could've been a lot more," Terry added. "First half, especially, we had a few chances.

"But (I am) delighted personally on my 100 games, but more importantly the three points. We needed that after dropping points at home (drawing 1-1 with Schalke).

"I thought we played very well. We always looked like scoring going forward.

"A clean sheet away from home against a good attacking side (and) it could have been a lot more."

Matic nodded in a Cesc Fabregas free-kick for the goal.

"Most of our chances come from him (Fabregas) opening up defences," Terry added.

"That's what he brings to the side, as well as his goalscoring ability."

Fabregas is in line to play against his former club Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday, while Costa came through 90 minutes despite his ongoing hamstring troubles and is again expected to start.